The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Book: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Reviewer: Grace, 11th grade

Star Rating: 5

The circus arrives without warning. From this enigmatic first line emerges The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, a masterfully-woven web of magic, romance, and intrigue. The story follows the mysterious traveling Cirque des Rêves (Circus of Dreams), open only at night, which delights patrons and readers alike with an assortment of astonishing exhibitions. Its iconic black and white striped tents, more than just the manifestation of unbridled imagination, are the backdrop of a duel between Marco and Celia, young magicians who have been training their entire lives for one cryptic, critical game. The inevitable contest is complicated by the star-crossed love affair which blossoms between them, and its outcome will ultimately determine the fate of the circus and everyone involved.

The narrative unfolds by way of seemingly separate storylines; characters and settings shift with each new chapter and the action jumps back and forth in time. Each chapter adds a piece to the puzzle of the circus, creating an intricate account of the enchanting spectacle and the opposing powers that control it, and the storylines are propelled by gorgeous imagery and poetic language toward their ultimate, elegant convergence.

To me, The Night Circus reads like a symphony. Engaging to the very end, the book evokes emotions ranging from awe to sadness to profound joy. It is a masterpiece not to be missed by fans of fantasy, romance, and magic.

Turtles all the Way Down by John Green

Book: Turtles all the Way Down by John Green
Reviewer: Grace, 11th grade
Star Rating: 5

John Green’s newest novel, Turtles All the Way Down, is emotional, dark, and unique despite featuring the witty, quirky teenagers that he is known for. The book centers on 16 year old Aza Holmes and her best friend Daisy as they attempt to solve the mystery of the disappearance of billionaire Russell Pickett. With eyes on a one-hundred thousand dollar reward, the pair reconnect with Pickett’s son and attempt to learn more about his father’s disappearance.

However, the plot takes a relative backseat to Aza’s internal monologue and resulting battles. Aza suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, a diagnosis that Green shares, and much of the novel focuses on her fears of contracting a bacterial infection and the way her sense of identity and agency are impacted by thought spirals and actions that she can’t control. Turtles has elements of the wit and romance that are hallmarks of Green’s work but is less plot-driven than The Fault in Our Stars or Paper Towns.

I found the novel to be very believable in the way the characters dealt with pain and hardship and in its portrayal of mental illness, and I would recommend this book to teenage readers who enjoy reflective characters and a focus on relationships rather than action. The circumstances of the novel are not universal and Aza can seem hard to relate to or connect with, but I think that any teen who has experienced anxiety can see a bit of themselves in her and her story.